Rolla man injured in Highway 63 crash

Friday

Dec 27, 2013 at 12:43 PMDec 27, 2013 at 3:49 PM

A Rolla man was injured Friday when the vehicle he was driving crashed into a traffic light pole, overturned and caught fire on Highway 63 at Lanning Lane Friday around noon. According to an incident report from the Rolla Police Department, Karl Roy Gabel, 51, was driving a 2009 Chevrolet HHR southbound in the 1000 block of South Highway 63 near the intersection of Lanning Lane.

Paul Hackbarth

A Rolla man was injured Friday when the vehicle he was driving crashed into a traffic light pole, overturned and caught fire on Highway 63 at Lanning Lane Friday around noon.According to an incident report from the Rolla Police Department, Karl Roy Gabel, 51, was driving a 2009 Chevrolet HHR southbound in the 1000 block of South Highway 63 near the intersection of Lanning Lane. The vehicle left the road and struck a curb. The vehicle continued southbound and struck a concrete island before striking a traffic light pole at the intersection. The RPD states that the vehicle sustained heavy damage and was towed from the scene.Gabel was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center for treatment.Ambyr Davis, who works at the Southwestern Hearing Center location at Highway 63 and Lanning Lane, told the Daily News that she witnessed the crash.She said she saw the vehicle going fast southbound on Highway 63 through a red light and then she said she believes the driver hit the brakes. She said the car then went airborne and hit the traffic light pole before overturning. Davis said she saw smoke and flame coming from the driver's side of the vehicle. Rolla firefighters were seen spraying down the car at the scene.Davis said she called 911 to report the crash and helped pull the driver out of the vehicle. "He was non-responsive so I cleared his airways," Davis said, adding that he had abrasions, facial bleeding and lacerations to his nose."I think I was just at the right place at the right time," Davis said, noting that emergency responders arrived at the scene within about five minutes.The police were assisted by City of Rolla Fire and Rescue, Phelps County EMS and the Phelps County Sheriff's Department.Rolla police officers handled traffic control and southbound traffic had to be diverted around the scene.